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The Spiritual Means, book by H. H. Pope Shenouda III

40- The oblations

St-Takla.org Image: A holy liturgy at our beloved Church: Saint Takla Haymanout Church, Alexandria, Egypt - Father Karas Ebrahim صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: قداس إلهي في كنيستنا المحبوبة، كنيسة الأنبا تكلاهيمانوت، الإسكندرية، مصر - القس أبونا كاراس إبراهيم

The oblations, by which you come closer to God:

The church remembers all these gifts in the “Prayer for the Oblations”... Those who present to the church the wine, the oils, the incense, the coverings of the altar, the books of the readings and vessels of the altar, and asks

So, do you have a share in the Prayer for the Oblations?

Some, for example, like to offer pure flour for the “Offertory”. Some ask first about what the church needs then offer them, instead of people offering tens of Prospharines (altar’s veil) while the church needs other items that are necessary. Or others offer many icons that the church has no need of and with no artistic harmony.

The Bible presents to us other examples of caring about the poor.

For example, the Bible says: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger” (Lev 23:22), and the Bible also says: “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove” (Ex 23:10,11). How do we apply this spiritual principle in non-agricultural life?...

What sums up the words of the Bible about giving is the Lord’s saying:

“None shall appear before Me empty” (Ex 23:15) and (Ex 34:20).